Superconducting Magnetic Spindle Support for High-Speed Ring Spinning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ring spinning machines face productivity limitations due to mechanical friction and heating at high speeds, leading to yarn burning, tearing, and increased production costs, while existing high-temperature superconducting magnetic bearings (HTSMB) solutions are complex and pose safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A device using a superconducting magnetic bearing system with a permanent magnetic rotor floating stably over a cooled superconductor stator, featuring a thermally connected cooling system and modular design, reduces friction and material costs, and stabilizes the rotor with ferromagnetic flux collectors and eddy currents, allowing for higher spindle speeds and safer operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional mechanical bearings are used in ring spinning machines, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but mechanical friction causes heating at high speeds leading to yarn burning and productivity limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespindle speedVSAvoidfrictional heat
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical bearing system with a superconducting magnetic bearing system. The mechanical contact between bearing components is eliminated and substituted with magnetic field-based support, where the superconducting stator generates magnetic fields that levitate and support the rotor without physical contact, thereby eliminating frictional heating while enabling high-speed operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating temperature parameter to below the critical temperature of high-temperature superconductors (typically around 77K using liquid nitrogen). This temperature change enables the stator material to exhibit superconducting properties, generating strong magnetic fields for contactless bearing support, thus resolving the frictional heat problem while maintaining structural feasibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If high-temperature superconducting magnetic bearings are implemented, then friction is eliminated and high speeds are achieved, but the device complexity increases due to cooling systems and superconductor geometry development

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespindle speedVSAvoidcooling system and stator structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the stator into multiple independent superconducting segments or blocks, each capable of generating magnetic fields for supporting the rotor. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing and cooling of each individual segment compared to a single large superconducting structure, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the high-speed capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces liquid nitrogen as an intermediary cooling medium between the superconducting stator and the ambient environment. This intermediary layer provides efficient heat transfer from the superconducting material to the surroundings, enabling the stator to maintain its superconducting state without requiring complex integrated cooling systems, thus reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the rotor is freely suspended by magnetic fields, then friction is minimized, but safety risks increase due to high-speed rotation of unsuspended magnetic rings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespindle speedVSAvoidoperational safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs active control mechanisms that generate counteracting magnetic forces to balance the rotor during high-speed rotation. Sensors detect rotor position and control systems adjust magnetic field strengths in real-time to counteract centrifugal forces and maintain stable rotor suspension, thereby ensuring operational safety while enabling high-speed frictionless rotation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors continuously monitor the rotor's position, speed, and vibrational characteristics. This information is fed back to the control system, which adjusts the magnetic field generation by the superconducting stator to maintain stable rotor suspension and prevent dangerous vibrations or rotor ejection, thus ensuring safety during high-speed operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables significantly increased spindle speeds, reduced material and assembly costs, and improved safety by minimizing frictional heat and balancing dynamic forces, achieving higher productivity and efficiency in yarn production.

Implementation Method 1

When the superconducting material of the stator is cooled below the critical temperature, the magnetic flux of the rotor is coupled into the cooled stator and magnetically trapped

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuperconductivity: Superconductivity

Implementation Method 2

the magnetic flux of the rotor is coupled into the cooled stator and magnetically trapped. This coupling makes the rotor inherently stable above or within the stator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux coupling: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 3

at least two high-temperature superconducting stators, together with their thermally connected cooling devices

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

the magnetic field-generating rotors are equipped with ferromagnetic magnetic flux collectors, which serve to increase the field strength and guide the magnetic field toward the high-temperature superconductor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFerromagnetism: Ferromagnetism

Implementation Method 5

the outer tube is made of a material with a high electrical conductivity suitable for generating eddy currents, thus providing additional magnetic stabilization during rotary spinning and twisting operations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEddy currents: Eddy Currents

Data Source

PatentEP4089213B1Device and method for winding and twisting fibre material in ring spinning or ring twisting machines
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 SANKO TEKSTIL ISLETMELERI SANAYI VE TICARET AS
  • EP4089213B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4089213B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4089213B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a device and a method applicable by means of this device, which serve for winding and twisting yarns, in particular, in ring spinning and ring twisting machines. The solution provided utilizes arrangements of high-temperature superconducting magnetic bearings to prevent burning of the yarn at high speeds caused by the rotation of the permanent magnet rotors arranged coaxially to the spindles. Starting from the prior art, the object of the invention is to provide a device and a method for winding and twisting fibrous material in ring spinning and ring twisting machines, with which the operating speed of the machines can be significantly increased, higher productivity in ring spinning achieved, and the time and material costs for assembly and maintenance of the device reduced.This problem is solved by arranging at least two high-temperature superconducting stators together with their thermally connected cooling devices contactlessly and parallel to each other along the course of the spindle row, and by magnetically levitating the coaxially aligned magnet field-generating rotors in the magnetic field of the continuous gap between the respective adjacent stators.